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Admin Work/Merchandising - Which direction?

5 replies

Octopus37 · 21/08/2020 19:55

I'm looking for a bit of advice. Prior to having my kids (up to 13 years ago) I did Secretarial work. I didn't have a job to go back to after maternity leave cause I was temping. I tried to get part time secretarial/admin work but there was nothing and I quickly realised that working up in London wasnt going to work, had/have no family support. I then started doing some mystery shopping and was lucky to be offered regular undercover price checking work and I have also got some tactical field experience doing bits of merchandising. TBH, youngest Son goes to High School next week and I am looking to get into a permanent role, I dont want to do temp to perm or be bank staff anywhere, have had bad experiences. I'm trying to decide whether to go back to admin work (I've accepted that it will be at a low, prob minimum wage level) or to go for a merchandising role. Worried that I have pidgeon holed myself as I find it easy to get freelance tactical fieldwork, I am registered with lots of companies, but feel that I will be stuck doing this type of work, unfortunately (apart from a couple of my regular price checking jobs) it isn't well paid at all. I also do online website evaluation work. I'm wondering if its worth doing some sort of admin qualification to give me any hope of getting a basic admin job. Can anyone recommend a suitable course? I did some RSA qualifications years ago, or am I destined to stay doing my current work.

OP posts:
Octopus37 · 21/08/2020 19:56

Sorry meant to say younger Son goes to High School next year, so I've got a bit of time to have a rethink

OP posts:
RubySlippers77 · 24/08/2020 21:50

Perhaps something like this NVQ qualification @Octopus37? Or something more like this diploma?

It might be more useful for you (if you can) to try volunteering in a sector you'd like to work in, do you have a local volunteer bureau who'd be able to help? Qualifications are really good but you might meet more people/ get a foot in the door with companies more through work experience...

I'm hoping to go back to admin work myself soon once the DC finally start school, I did it for 20 years so have plenty of experience but trying to re-enter a post-Covid workplace after 5 years as a SAHM is going to be challenging!! I may well end up doing mystery shopping or similar just because it's flexible, and hope to earn a few extra quid that way!

Octopus37 · 29/08/2020 09:41

Hi RubySlippers, only just saw this. Thanks for your reply. Those courses look good. Agree its all very difficult post COVID. I have signed up a local volunteer bureau. I agree that its the people that will make a difference, I have really lost confidence in dealing with people to be honest. A further complication is that my Dad is in a difficult situation, his partner is about to go into a care home (she has dementia), and he is likely to need to move to be near my Sister. Unfortunately they are 200 miles away but I will probably need (also want) to go up about once a month. Husband works shift, kids getting older (10 and 13) but still not old enough to be left for that long. Makes me worry about what I can commit to to be honest, but also aware that I could be using that as an excuse cause I'm so scared of change.

OP posts:
RubySlippers77 · 02/09/2020 22:05

That really strikes a chord with me @Octopus37. My DC are still small but my DM is losing mobility rapidly and is a good three hours' drive from me; I'd like to visit more often (haven't been able to go at all this year) and it should get easier as the DC get older, but then of course we'll have school holidays and potentially my job to contend with! DP also works shifts and will be the main wage earner even if I go back to work, so anything I do will have to accommodate him. And oh blimey, I feel like I've really lost my social skills; five years with very little people contact, hardly any time away from the DC and not much to talk about apart from child-related stuff, I can see me boring anyone nearby as I have nothing interesting to say Sad

GoGoGone · 02/09/2020 22:38

I think merchandising sounds good. I have a few friends in that area and they have mostly worked their way up from the shop floor/ trainee scheme to earn pretty well!

Are you near any major company headquarters? Are you more interested in FMGC or clothes etc?

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